OK – this one is short… but its a Theme Song! Well… sort of. SxePhil is one of the most popular channels on Youtube. I thought it’d be fun to do something a little ‘outside’ of the lines, and in traditional fashion of mine – unpredictable. I’ve done Lady Gaga, Rick Astley, Michael Jackson, and even more. But what about theme songs, or Rage Against the Machine, or Kanye West? What about the Philadelphia Eagles chant, or the Keyboard Cat theme? I’ll get to them… give me time
First I’d like to say that this song meant a lot to me because SxePhil is a cool guy who openly discusses his health issues. Why is this important to me? Well, its important that people remember that every one has their own problems – including me. Hopefully, I have this correct – but Philip Defranco (AKA SxePhil) was diagnosed with PKD, and actually started Youtube’ing due to his grandfather also being diagnosed with it and raise awareness for it. There’s something cool about doing things to help others, and seeing that they were successful at raising awareness. So to you readers – keep your chin up, and carry on.
I like interesting things. I like the orchestra. I like doing interesting songs and ideas WITH the orchestra. So this week was a good introduction to doing something new. The funny thing about arranging a song For Orchestra is that an 11 second song takes JUST as long as a 4 minute song. This is because the orchestration, production, and transcribing is where 90% of the work is from, which you have to do in every song anyway. In addition a 4 minute song usually has Verse / Chorus / Verse / Chorus. So the result is that once you transcribe the first Verse / Chorus, then you’re already 90% complete – just simply repeat!
In the video you can watch the difference between the original and the new orchestrated version. So check it out! I took the guitar part and gave it to the violin, and the doubled it with the flutes!
Doing new things is always what has inspired me. I constantly try new foods, travel, experiment, meet people, and write interesting music. Its’ what gets me up in the morning. SxePhil was a fun one to do as opposed to say.. the Pokemon Theme Song because I liked the context of this piece and the short duration of it. Not that the Pokemon Theme song would be a bad suggestion…
It’s Friday. And you know what that means… New Music! So here’s this weeks arrangement is Bon Jovi ‘Livin on a Prayer’. This request was by iJustine. She told me that this is her favorite song, and I agree, this song rocks – so I hope you and her all like it!
The violins on this track gave me SO MUCH trouble I’m surprised I got it out this early as opposed to Monday. The song builds up pretty big, and I learned a few more technique in my writing and music production that are a huge leap in my knowledge.
I knew this song was going to sound good, so I was excited, and if you listen closely there is a key change 3/4 of the way into the piece! This was my first orchestrated arrangement with a key change, and it sounds epic.
So I like to orchestrate in the way people talk. When you speak not everything is ALWAYS loud, or soft, or fast, or slow. As a result, I had the flutes play some verses, and the brass play others, and then the strings come in on others. This variation kept it interesting, and at the same time built up the tension as you continue listening. The brass sounds so awesome in this piece, that I plan on doing more in future arrangements of maybe dropping out the entire orchestra and just having the brass play. I did something like that with the strings in my Michael Jackson ‘Beat It’ piece towards the end.
I like this song because it pertains to me as a musician. I’m ‘Living on a Prayer’ as I start this ‘For Orchestra’ idea I came up with. It’s scary starting something new, but liberating, too. I tend to worry alot (will people like the idea? Will it take off? Will anybody buy my arrangments that I work hard on?). This goes without saying my own questions and concerns in my own life. So just like I’m ‘Livin on a Prayer’ with my decision to be a musician at a time when there are probably other ‘stable’ careers, I chose to now start something that has another uncertainty – ‘For Orchestra’. But one thing is for certain: living my life the way I want to, taking chances, meeting all of you, and hearing all the positive reinforcement is what’s gets me up in the morning. I don’t want any regrets, and that’s a life worth living. I’m halfway there
Michael Jackson was the man. This is my way of saying thank you.
These arrangements take 40+ hours to make – but I figured of all the happiness he brought to my life (whether it was karaoke with friends, or driving down the shore, or singing as I was walking down the street) – my time spent on this isn’t comparative to the hours his music inspired me and added to my lifestyle.
My arrangement was between ‘Beat It’, ‘Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough’, ‘Billie Jean’, and ‘Thriller’. I chose ‘Beat It’ because it sounded good in my head for orchestra
Music is amazing how it creates emotion. fear, Love, Hate, Mystery, Dancing, etc. It’s extremely powerful, and to rearrange it in a way that an orchestra can capture that power and excitement and transition it to another is something I feel is what music is all about. It’s about passing it on. It’s about creating emotion.
Hope you enjoy this arrangement, and that it makes you smile in the same way MJ’s music and work made me happy.
My name is Walt. I arrange pop songs for orchestra. I've done Lady Gaga, Motley Crue, The Cure, Radiohead, and more. Thanks for stopping by. To purchase mp3's go here. For more info Click Here.
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